Propulsion system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for propelling an underwater diver provides for oral activation of a propulsion means. Specifically, the system includes a mouthpiece in fluid communication with an air tank and electrically connected to the propulsion means via a circuit. A switch is positioned in the mouthpiece such that the diver may bite the mouthpiece to selectively operate the switch and complete the circuit. When the circuit is completed, the propulsion means is activated to propel the diver via a motor that operates an impellor. Preferably, the motor and impellor are contained in a housing along with a power storage device and the air tank.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to systems and methods for providing underwater propulsion. More particularly, the present invention pertains to such systems and methods that utilize propulsion means that are carried and operated by an underwater diver. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for allowing an underwater diver to selectively activate a propulsion means by biting a mouthpiece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underwater divers frequently experience fatigue while swimming long distances, or in areas having strong currents. As a result of fatigue, divers consume an increased amount of air and decrease the amount of time they can stay underwater. In order to avoid these effects, external propulsion sources have been used to avoid fatigue, reduce air consumption rates, and reduce the likelihood of decompression sickness for divers.

One type of external propulsion source currently used is a powered water sled. While powered water sleds provide for sufficient propulsion and control, they limit the diver's freedom to use other devices, such as cameras, tools or weapons since the diver must manually operate the sled. Further, powered water sleds are not attached to the diver and can become lost if they are released underwater.

Another type of external propulsion source utilizes a manually controlled propulsion unit mounted to the diver's back. In this arrangement, the likelihood of the propulsion unit becoming lost is largely eliminated. However, the diver still must manually control propulsion, which hinders the diver's maneuverability and his ability to use other instruments. One answer to this problem has been to mount the control of the propulsion unit on the diver's back so that the diver's hands are free. However, in systems utilizing this technique, the diver loses the ability to constantly control his propulsion and to immediately react to conditions underwater.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for propelling an underwater diver with a non-manually controlled propulsion device. Another object of the present invention is to provide systems and methods for providing an underwater diver with an orally activated propulsion device. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for propelling an underwater diver in which the diver holds the control of the propulsion means in his mouth. Another object of the present invention is to provide underwater propulsion systems and methods that allow for free use of the diver's hands. Still another object of the present invention is to provide systems for providing underwater propulsion, and methods of using the systems, that are relatively easy to manufacture, simple to use and comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a propulsion system for propelling an underwater diver. Preferably, the propulsion system includes a propulsion device that is carried on the diver's back along with an air tank. Also included is a mouthpiece that is electrically connected to the propulsion device. Specifically, an electric circuit passes from the propulsion device to a switch located in the mouthpiece. Preferably, the switch is operated when the diver bites the mouthpiece. In this manner, the diver may orally control propulsion.

Structurally, the propulsion device is held in a housing and includes a motor that is connected via an electric circuit to a power storage device. Electrically linked to the electric circuit, and connected to the motor, is a control switch. Through this cooperation of structure, the switch controls activation of the motor. In the present invention, the motor is mechanically connected to a drive shaft that extends to an impellor. In turn, the impellor is seated in the channel that is formed in the housing. Further, the channel allows water to be drawn in through an inlet and expelled out of an outlet to provide a propulsion force. Preferably, the air tank, power storage device, motor, drive shaft, and impellor are contained within the housing.

Structurally, the mouthpiece of the present invention is formed with a passageway that is in fluid communication with the air tank via a lumen defined by a tube. As intended for the present invention, the electric circuit is positioned within the tube, and the control switch is positioned in the mouthpiece. Thus, the electric circuit is closed to activate the propulsion unit when the diver bites on the mouthpiece to close the switch. In order to prevent the passageway from collapsing when the diver bites the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece is provided with a cylindrical rigid barrier around the passageway.

In accordance with the present invention, the propulsion device and air tank are positioned in the housing which is secured to the diver's back. When the diver submerges underwater, the mouthpiece is positioned in the diver's mouth so that the diver may breathe air in from the tank. When propulsion is desired, the diver merely bites the mouthpiece to operate the switch so that the circuit is completed from the mouthpiece to the control. As a result, the control activates the motor, the motor turns the impellor, and the impellor forces water through the channel. In this manner, the diver is propelled by the propulsion system. To control velocity, the diver may lessen or release his bite on the mouthpiece to disengage the switch and de-activate the motor and impellor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an underwater diver utilizing a propulsion system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the propulsion system of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 showing the switch and passageway of the mouthpiece;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 showing internal components of the propulsion system; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing the connection between the switch and the propulsion means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a propulsion system in accordance with the present invention is shown and generally designated 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the propulsion system 10 is intended to be carried by an underwater diver 12 to provide for underwater propulsion. As also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the propulsion system 10 includes a mouthpiece 14 that is received in the diver's mouth 16. The mouthpiece 14 is connected via a tube 18 to a reservoir of breathable gas stored in a tank 20 (shown in FIG. 4). As further shown in FIG. 4, the tank 20 is held in a housing 22 which houses other propulsion system components as discussed below.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the tube 18 defines a lumen 24 which provides for fluid communication between the tank 20 and the mouthpiece 14. Also shown in FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit 26 which provides electrical connection between the mouthpiece 14 and the components within housing 22 as discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the internal structure of the mouthpiece 14 is illustrated. As shown, the electrical circuit 26 extends from the tube 18 into the mouthpiece 14. A switch 28 is provided on the circuit 26 in the portion 30 of the mouthpiece 14 that is held by the diver's mouth 16 when in use. Through this arrangement, the switch 28 may be operated by the diver 12 through biting the mouthpiece 14. Specifically, the force of a bite is able to cause the outer portion 32 of the switch 28 to contact the inner portion 34 of the switch 28. As a result, the circuit 26 is completed when the diver 12 bites the mouthpiece 14 with sufficient force. As is further shown in FIG. 3, the mouthpiece 14 includes a passageway 36 that is in fluid communication with the lumen 24 of the tube 18. Surrounding the passageway 36 is a rigid barrier 38 that serves to prevent the collapse of the passageway 36 when the diver 12 bites the mouthpiece 14 to operate the switch 28.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the components of the propulsion system 10 contained within the housing 22 are illustrated. As discussed above, a tank 20 filled with a breathable gas such as air or nitrox is positioned in the housing 22 and connected via the tube 18 to the mouthpiece 14. Adjacent the tank 20 are two power storage devices 40, such as batteries or fuel tanks. Connected to the power storage devices 40 are motors 42 which may be fueled by electricity or combustion. As shown, the motors 42 are connected to drive shafts 44 which extend from the motors 42 into channels 46. The channels 46 include inlets 48 and outlets 50 to allow water to pass therethrough. As shown, an impellor 52 is connected to the end of each drive shaft 44. With this cooperation of structure, the motors 42 can spin the impellers 52 via the drive shafts 44 so that water is drawn into the channels 46 through the inlets 48. As the impellors 52 force the water out of the channels 46 through the outlets 50 in the direction of the arrows 54, the propulsion system 10 propels the diver 12 in the opposite direction (upward in FIG. 4).

Referring now to FIG. 5, the control of the propulsion system 10 by the diver 12 is explained. As previously discussed, the propulsion system 10 includes an electrical circuit 26 that includes a switch 28 positioned on the mouthpiece 14. When the diver 12 completes the circuit 26 by operating the switch 28, a control 56 activates the propulsion of the diver 12. Specifically, the control 56 activates the propulsion units 58, each of which includes a motor 42, drive shaft 44, and impellor 52. When the diver 12 disconnects the circuit 26 by releasing the switch 28, the control 56 de-activates the propulsion units 58. In this manner, the diver 12 controls his self-propulsion.

In operation, the diver 12 positions the tank 20 in the housing 22. Then the housing 22 is attached to the diver 12 with a belt or harness 60 (shown in FIG. 1). The mouthpiece 14 is positioned in the diver's mouth 16 and the diver 12 submerges underwater. Once underwater, the diver 12 may selectively bite the mouthpiece 14 to operate the switch 28. When the switch 28 is operated to complete the circuit 26, the control 56 activates the motors 42 to turn the impellers 52. As the impellors 52 force water through the channels 46, the diver 10 is propelled in a head-first direction. Because the diver 12 uses his mouth 16 to operate the propulsion system 10, his arms and legs are free for use in guiding his movement.

While the particular Propulsion System and Method as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. 

1. A propulsion system for propelling an underwater diver which comprises: a power storage device carried by the diver; a propulsion means connected to said power storage device; a mouthpiece electrically connected to said propulsion means and adapted to be held in the mouth of the diver; and a switch means supported on said mouth piece and connected to said propulsion means via an electrical circuit wherein said propulsion means is selectively activated by the diver.
 2. A propulsion system as recited in claim 1 wherein the propulsion means is activated when the diver bites the mouthpiece.
 3. A propulsion system as recited in claim 2 wherein the mouthpiece includes a passageway and a barrier around the passageway to prevent the passageway from collapsing during activation of the propulsion means.
 4. A propulsion system as recited in claim 3 further comprising a tube defining a lumen, with said lumen providing fluid communication between the passageway of the mouthpiece and a reservoir of breathable gas housed in a tank, and wherein the circuit extends through the tube from the mouthpiece to the propulsion means.
 5. A propulsion system as recited in claim 1 wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with a reservoir of breathable gas housed in a tank.
 6. A propulsion system as recited in claim 5 further comprising a means for housing the power storage device and the propulsion means, with the housing means being mounted to the tank.
 7. A propulsion system as recited in claim 6 further comprising a means for securing the housing means and the tank to the diver.
 8. A propulsion system as recited in claim 6 wherein the propulsion means includes an impellor seated in a passageway and the housing includes a fluid input and fluid output in communication with passageway.
 9. A propulsion system as recited in claim 8 wherein the propulsion means includes a motor and a drive shaft, with said drive shaft connecting said impellor and said motor.
 10. A propulsion system as recited in claim 9 wherein the power storage device is a battery.
 11. A propulsion system for propelling an underwater diver which comprises: a mouthpiece adapted to be held in the mouth of the diver; a motor electrically connected to said mouthpiece; a power storage device connected to said motor to provide power to said motor; an impellor connected to said motor; and a switch supported on said mouthpiece and connected to said motor via an electrical circuit, wherein said motor is selectively activated by the diver.
 12. A propulsion system as recited in claim 11 wherein said motor is selectively activated by the diver when the diver bites the mouthpiece to cause the switch to complete the electrical circuit.
 13. A propulsion system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a housing, with said housing containing said motor, power storage device and impellor.
 14. A propulsion system as recited in claim 13 wherein said mouthpiece is in fluid communication with a reservoir of breathable gas housed in a tank, wherein said housing is mounted to said tank, and wherein said housing and said tank are secured to the diver.
 15. A method for propelling an underwater diver which comprises the steps of: providing a propulsion system including a power storage device, a propulsion means connected to said power storage device, a mouthpiece electrically connected to said propulsion means, and a switch means supported on said mouthpiece and connected to said propulsion means via an electrical circuit; securing the propulsion system on the diver; positioning the mouthpiece in the mouth of the diver; and operating said switch means to selectively activate the propulsion means to propel the underwater diver.
 16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the operating step is performed by the diver biting the mouthpiece.
 17. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the mouthpiece includes a passageway and a barrier around the passageway to prevent the passageway from collapsing during the operating step.
 18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein the propulsion system includes a tube defining a lumen, with said lumen providing fluid communication between the passageway of the mouthpiece and a reservoir of breathable gas housed in a tank, and wherein the circuit extends through the tube from the mouthpiece to the propulsion means, with the method further comprising the step of delivering the breathable gas to the diver through the mouthpiece.
 19. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with a reservoir of breathable gas housed in a tank, with the method further comprising the step of delivering the breathable gas to the diver through the mouthpiece.
 20. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein the propulsion system includes a housing for the power storage device and the propulsion means, and wherein the securing step includes mounting the housing to the tank. 